NFL Draft: Greg Childs Impresses at Arkansas Pro Day
By Ryan Wright
Former Arkansas Razorback wide receiver Greg Childs continued to show healthy improvement on his injured knee from the end of the Hogs 2011 regular season through the NFL draft combine to Arkansas’ Pro Day.
Childs improved his forty-yard scout combine run of 4.55 to 4.41 in front of NFL scouts Tuesday inFayetteville. His forty-time would have tied him for seventh best at the combine, the same time as former Baylor quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III.
Childs, listed at 6’3”, 219 pound, recorded a long jump of 10’7” at the pro day, besting his 10’5” at the combine, which would have tied him for sixth best among all players. His 40.5” vertical jump would have been the second best during the Feb. 22-28 event.
Childs benched 225 pounds 19 times placing him sixth best among all receivers at the combine. He graded out at 53.5 put in one week’s time has shown improvement in all areas. Some NFL team will take notice.
All-American punt returner Joe Adams tried to improve upon his 4.55 forty-yard dash at the combine but ran the same time at 4.55. He graded out at an 82.5 in front of scouts in Indianapolis.
The 2011 Arkansas Razorback media guide listedAdamsat 5’11” 190 pounds. At the combine he weighed 179 pounds. He projects to be a slot receiver at the next level so being undersized is not as big of an issue. The big question is will the increased weight gain teams will put him through slow his explosiveness on the field in the return game.
Jarius Wright turned in a top 10 performance in the shuttle 20-yard shuttle run during the combine at a timed 4.03. His 4.42 forty-yard dash run was tied for 14th best among all athletes and 9th best among wide receivers. His impressive display of speed and agility during the combine allowed him to sit out of speed drills Tuesday.
Wright graded out at 68.7 during the combine. His speed and quickness are a noted plus as a slot receiver at the next level, his strength off press coverage and ability to sustain blocks worry NFL scouts.
Wright’s vertical jump of 38” was ninth best for his position at the combine.
All receivers participating in receiving drills got help from an old friend. Former Arkansas quarterback and 2011 third round draft pick Ryan Mallett was on hand to throw to his former teammates.
Jake Bequette was a top performer in the three-cone and 20-yard shuttle runs at the combine posting a 6.90 and 4.07 respectively. His 20-yard run was second best among defensive ends (Bruce Irvin, West Virginia, 4.03) while his vertical jump was tied for 11th best (34.0”).
Bequette’s 4.82 40-yard dash was well below his previously listed 4.5 timing. He did not participate in speed drills during the pro day. Reports are he will hold a private workout for scouts in the upcoming weeks.
Recording a grade of 53.7 at the combine had to be frustrating for the first team All-SEC defensive end. In post season all star games and during his pro day scouts have looked at Bequette as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. Bequette’s ability to show scouts he can drop into coverage could be the deciding factor on where he ends up in the draft.
How NFL.com projects the grades of all players regardless of position:
100-96, top pick, future Hall of Fame player
95-85, first round pick, immediate starter
84-70, 2nd to 3rd round pick, eventual starter
69-50, 4th to 7th round pick, draft worthy
49-20, free agent player, not draft worthy
Notable 2012 Combine Grades:
Quarterbacks:
Andrew Luck, Stanford, 97
Robert Griffin III, Baylor, 95
Russell Wilson,Wisconsin, 68.5
Darron Thomas, Oregon, 55.0
Case Keenum, Houston, 53.5
Kellen Moore, Boise State, 51.0
Jordan Jefferson, LSU, 40
Running Backs:
Chris Polk, Washington, 86.0
LaMichael James, Oregon, 78.5
Cyrus Gray, Texas A&M, 75.5
Doug Martin, Boise State, 74.2
Chris Rainey, Florida, 73.7
Fozzy Whittaker, Texas, 51.2
Vick Ballard, Mississippi State, 50.5
Wide Receivers:
Michael Floyd, Notre Dame, 89.5
Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma, 84.0
Tight Ends:
Colby Fleener, Stanford, 85.2
Orson Charles, Georgia, 79.0
Cornerbacks:
Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama, 92.0
Morris Claiborne, LSU, 91.5
Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina, 84.0
Offensive Linemen:
Matt Kalil, Southern California, 94.0
David Decastro, Stanford, 92.5
Cordy Glenn, Georgia, 72.5
Donald Stephenson, Oklahoma, 53.5
Adam Gettis, Iowa, 52.2
Linebackers:
Luke Kuechly, Boston College, 91.0
Dont’a Hightower, Alabama, 85.0
DeMario Davis, Arkansas State, 51.2
Defensive Linemen:
Melvin Ingram, South Carolina, 90.5
Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State, 77.0
Whitney Mercilus, Illinois, 72.5
Safety:
Charles Mitchell, Mississippi State, 54.7
Kelcie McCray, Arkansas State, 51.5